Help! Need tips for doing Disney with grandson newly diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder

[Debby7]

Our 5 year old grandson has just been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder. We know we will need to take frequent breaks in a quiet area to avoid overstimulation. He needs structure and needs to know what is going to happen before it happens. What tips do other families have for children with similar disorders that have worked for you? What are some of the quiet spots that work well for a stimulus break?

 

[jenniy122]

For a little one, having a stroller he can hang out in and have some space would likely be helpful, especially if it has a shade or some sort of cover than he could hide away behind. Headphones/earplugs are good if he's sensitive to loud noises, but make sure to trial run these before going as if they're not comfortable/"feel weird" it could have the opposite effect. First aid is always a good place to decompress too, they've got cots and it's nice and cool during the hot months.

 

[mamabunny]

To help prepare him for rides and shows, you can watch YouTube videos together of the attractions you plan on visiting at each park. Try to pre-screen the videos if you can, and look for POV videos (point of view) that most closely match what it is like to sit in that ride, or experience that show, parade or attraction. That can help him see what will happen for each thing you all plan to do.

Quiet areas can be hard to come by at the parks; you may want to grab a map of each park as you enter, and make a note of where First Aid is for that Park.

 

[gap2368]

A good quiet area in the MK is behind the Christmas tree shop

Stroller as a wheel chair

Do you know what else he has a problem with. Like dose he have a problem with noise light touching ext. this can help to let you know of things you can do

 

[DisneyOma]

Our 5 year old grandson has just been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder. We know we will need to take frequent breaks in a quiet area to avoid overstimulation. He needs structure and needs to know what is going to happen before it happens. What tips do other families have for children with similar disorders that have worked for you? What are some of the quiet spots that work well for a stimulus break?

Have you ever been to WDW before? Has he? There's a lot of research to do if you've never been before - but if you have gone, then we can skip right to the fine details.

 

[Hoodie]

We did a lot of videos. Stroller is VERY helpful, even if he hasn't been in a stroller for years. If he fits, one with a shade that pulls down was a God-send. He can create his own little bubble and get away. DAS card - the more recent lines that are more interactive can be sensory overload for our little guys.

Headphones are good. Also, know that the 3-D shows (Muppets, Mickey's PhilHarmagic) can be viewed without the glasses. Sometimes the things flying at them can set them off.

Most importantly, just take it at his pace. If he needs an hour to run around in one of the play areas, just let him go. If he just wants to be in his stroller bubble for a bit, let him. You may be surprised by both what he enjoys and what he doesn't.,

 

[nikkislaght]

Get a sensory diet in place, get some OT under his belt before your trip. I bring my sons weighted blanket , this helps him sleep at night. You can make cheap lapbags that are not big.. go to a thrift store and get some heavy linen placemats. fold length ways and sew up.. leaving a fill hole... fill with rice and then sew close.. it should cost no more than $5.00 and he can use it on his lap to get some feedback.. or you can get a stuffed animal that he likes and fill with rice too.. when walking around you can use a small backpack with a bag of flour in it.. these all give the body feed back..
Try and get him to do some heavy work.. pushing against walls , pushing his stroller .

Do you know if he is a seeker or avoider? they can also be both. which can be confusing. if he is a seeker he might really enjoy the spinning type rides. the faster the better.. my son loves Screaming..
if he is an avoider that could be a night mare for him. Try and get some compression clothing.. its expensive so we use Under Armor. they have some good textures for our kids..
crunchy snacks are a must for my boy. again seeking behavior . he loved going to Tom Sawyer Island to run around.. so finding an area that he can cut loose is important to us.

Hope you all have a great trip.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Stroller as wheelchair tag (we did that up to age 10 even though she had no physical issues) and a das. Both will make a world of difference. We are going in 3 weeks for the first time without a stroller and I'm ANXIOUS. She's never had a place not to "hide" before.

 

[gap2368]

Stroller as wheelchair tag (we did that up to age 10 even though she had no physical issues) and a das. Both will make a world of difference. We are going in 3 weeks for the first time without a stroller and I'm ANXIOUS. She's never had a place not to "hide" before.

if she is too big for a stroller you can try a wheel chair and get a very small umbrella that she can open to hide under.

 

[nikkislaght]

Stroller as wheelchair tag (we did that up to age 10 even though she had no physical issues) and a das. Both will make a world of difference. We are going in 3 weeks for the first time without a stroller and I'm ANXIOUS. She's never had a place not to "hide" before.

My son uses Hats , hoodies and sunglasses to hide behind. he also takes an Ipod to listen to his music, rather than all the people and Disney noise..
hope you have a great trip